I've been a fan of hers ever since her first book and I've had the opportunity to meet her several times now and shes a great a person as her books are great reads. I checked and this one isn't available at my local Chapters yet BUT it is available as an ebook and when I got a 20% off coupon from Kobo, it was a given that I'd get this book!!
I don't really buy her series books much anymore (except as J.D. Robb of course) but I still enjoy her stand-alone books. And one simply has to love the bargain book section at Chapters. This one I got in hardcover for the squeal of a deal price of $7.99! That's cheaper than a paperback copy.
Again, one must love the bargain book bin. I picked this one up for $6.99!! I haven't read her books for quite some time so I thought I'd try her again. Plus I love the colour purple and I've bought books for just that kind of shallow reason in the past.
I just finished a book by her and quite enjoyed it. I thought I'd give this series a try since someone somewhere in blog land really like the second one I think. And once more I'm striking out on who it is.
Well, crap on a cracker! I just noticed this is the second book, not the first. Oh well, I guess that means another trip to the book store.
And this is another shallow reason for buying a book. I was reaching for another book and this one fell off the shelf. I picked it up, read the back blurb, checked the price and thought 'what the heck' and into my pile it went
Last year at the RWA conference, Wendy and I traded thoughts on some of the different workshops. She came back from one I missed all excited when she heard Kris Kennedy had signed with Pocket books. She turned me on to this author and I adored The Conqueror. Unfortunately I seem to have misplaced The Irish Warrior before I finished it. While checking out upcoming books to add to the sidebar somehow this one slipped by me. I was thinking of her the other day wondering when her next book was coming out. When I checked her website, low and behold I discovered her next book, Defiant, was coming out in April. I was most excited to discover this.
And I don't know about the rest of you, but I think that is one might fine cover, even if it is on the beefcakey side.
Damn them! Damn them to hell. My Sunday morning treat to myself is a McDonald's Breakfast. This morning I decided to give myself a double treat and stop at Chapters on the way. I hadn't been there for a while - relatively speaking of course. And wasn't this just the last day of their 'buy 3, get 1 free' promotion. I could have done without knowing that as I was only planning on getting one book this trip -
Linnea Sinclair's Rebels and Lovers.
And maybe another one - new author
Addison Fox's Warrior Ascended. I think her name is cool and it's the first of a new paranormal series about zodiac type heroes and the first one is a Leo - and I'm a Leo - so I had to get it.....right?
Anyway with their buy 3 get 1 free promotion, it would be silly not to get one more to get the fourth free - so I'm now the proud owner of
Christy Reece's No Chance
and
Stephanie Tyler's Hard to Hold.
Now you may be wondering what the above has to do with the title of this post. Well, (you know you're in trouble when I start something with 'well') it occurred to my that none of the books I picked up today were historicals. In fact, none of the books I picked up to look at in the store were European Historicals. None of the books in my last book buying binge (seen on the right) were European Historicals. In fact, when I looked at one of the graphs (done by the Excel Queen Rosario) for the type of books read, I've only read one historical so far this year - Ravishing in Red. When I first started reading romance again - lo these many years ago now, European Historicals were all that I read for a few years before branching out into other genres.
But now, here in 2010, the trend seems to be 1) Contemporaries, 2) Westerns and 3) Romantic Suspense with the others following behind. In looking at the graph, European Historicals had their real heyday with me back in 2005.
But in looking at another graph, 2005 was my biggest year in reading since I started keeping stats of the number of books read. At the pace I'm at now though, I'm blowing 2005 out of the water as far as books read. So far - even before the end of March I'm up to 34 and at this rate, I'll have read 132 by the end of 2010. Of course that doesn't take into account slumps - one never knows when one of those will take over.
At the rate and genre I'm reading though, European Historicals will be way down the list this year.
In trying to figure out why they are so low on my reading pole as compared to previous years, I've come up with a number of reasons why this is so.
Age vs Innocence Now that I'm older than I was five years ago, I think I have less in common with many of the heroines of Historicals. I don't know the average age, but I'd say it's probably somewhere between 18 and 22. I just can't relate to heroines that young anymore. The heroines in other genres tend to be a little older and more savy than the young innocent virgin miss in Historicals. Even in Westerns, the heroines are more 'on the ball' so to speak.
Overabundance of Titles I can't tell you how tired I am of dukes, earls, viscounts and marquis!!! If there is one of those titles in the books title, I'm not even interested in picking it up to see what it's about. I would be more interested in giving it a read if the heroes were to be untitled. That's why Lisa Kleypas is still on my list. It's not that I won't read them - I still have a number in the TBR pile. But they aren't at the top of the pile, more in the middle they are.
Wanting to Mix it Up One of my reading goals this year is to shake up the genres; reading a more varied lot. So far the genre I've been most impressed with is Urban Fantasy. Of course so far it's only been one author, Joss Ware, that I've read from this genre, but her books are fantastic!!
English Overload After a steady diet of mainly English set historicals for the past 15 years or so, I think I've finally just about hit my limit on this setting, be it Victorian, Regency or whatever. If more were to come out with different settings, such as Canada, US, India, Russia or whatever, I think I could be persuaded back to the fold, but I've had it with historical books set in England. Even back then the world was a big place and romance flourished everywhere.
Whatever the reason, the interest just isn't there the way it used to be and that makes me kind of sad as it was my favourite genre for so many years. But on the plus side, I am discovering great books in other genres.
What about anyone else? Have you tired or peaked out at one particular genre and have you figured out why?
I recently put in an order at Harlequin and just received word that it's been shipped. My favourite line is the Harlequin Historical line and my favourite within that is their Western books. But even I had trouble with the titles of these two I ordered!!
The Cattleman's Unsuitable Wife by Pam Crooks (shudder) Although I have a few Pam Crooks books, I'm not sure I've read any yet.
In the vast wilds of Montana Territory, strikingly beautiful Zurina Vasco dreams of respectability. When cattleman Trey Wells's betrothed is kidnapped, blame falls on Zurina's brother—and a vengeful Trey demands she help him track them down.The journey is perilous, and Trey is struck by Zurina's courage and strength—and the passion she ignites in him. He realizes she is the only woman for him—but there is much to overcome before he can give her the love, care and true home she deserves….
Texas Wedding for Their Baby's Sake (shudder)
This one sounds much better then the title suggests and at only $2.99 - a squeal of a deal!
There hasn't been a Jill Shalvis Blaze/Temptation book I haven't enjoyed
Make Me Yours by Betina Krahn
I love the idea of a Blaze Historical line and I think I have them all so far
Getting Physical by Jade Lee
I love the idea of a muli-ethnic book and I hope they keep coming out with more. Not only that - it was on for only $2.79!
Reynold de Burgh: The Dark Knight by Deborah Simmons
I read this series many years ago and I'm hoping her new start in them are as good
The Slayer by Cindy Dees
A time travel where the heroine goes back to the Persian Empire and Ancient Greece - kewl!!
At the King's Command by Susan Wiggs I have a feeling this one is a rerelease since I think she's more women's fiction these days. But that's good with me - either way I haven't read it and her older books were very good and buried treasures me thinks. Maybe our favourite SuperLibrarian will know.
****edited already*****
Well crap on a cracker! I DO have the original - oh well - it's in terrible shape as I bought it used.
And far be it from me to do things by half measure - this is the Chapters order which has already shipped too!
The Wild Road by Marjorie M Liu
I loved The Fire King and knew I didn't have this one
Dangerous Passions by Lisa Marie Rice Lisa Marie Rice + 24% off = Of Course!
Now - did someone review this or was it the review at AAR that put it on my radar? Ackk - I hate getting forgetful! Anyway - it's a new to me author (hands up anyone who thinks that's her real name though) + SciFi/Futuristic romance = me gots to get!
And that half measure thing combined with a SERIOUS addiction - I was in the Chapters B&M store and couldn't leave empty handed!
Double Play by Jill Shalvis (oooh - that's 2 from her!)
I blame Monroe and Nath for this one (yes, I said blame them - I don't need no more stinkin' books :-) for their review at the revamped Breezing Through. As soon as I saw See Jane Score, I was hooked!
Just Sex by Susan Kay Law
I mourned - really mourned - and then got angry - really angry when Avon cancelled Ms. Law's contract because she wouldn't move her Western setting to England to suit their narrow minded views of what attracts readers (must stop rant)(and I'll be mysterious here and say something is in the works but I'm not telling yet). I hadn't tried her contempory/women's fiction books but when I saw this one which normally sells for $17.50 trade size - on sale for $3.99 - well, I just couldn't not get it!
The Notrious Bridegroom by Kit Donner
New Author + Good Price = I gotta get
I'm not sure if I'm repulsed or attracted by the fact that I'm sure the guy on the cover is a dead ringer for Brad Pitt.
Sea Lord by Virginia Kantra
This is one I really wanted to get in D.C. but I forgot at the Literacy Signing and they were all out at the publisher signing. Now all I have to do before I buy the next one in the series - if there is a next one - is start reading them! Why do I do this??
Seriously - Brent was over the other day and we got talking about life and stuff including addictions and he said he was so glad I didn't get addicted to anything after Ron died. I looked at him, looked around the living room and said 'ahhh Brent, I do have an addiction!'
And *g* you can tell by the length of this post and the time it took to do it that today is my day off!
So - I made a proclamation in mid-April. Oh how smug was I. Turned out I couldn't even last for a month!! After seeing all the May releases, I knew I was in trouble. But wait! There were contests for some of them! Perhaps I could cheat my way through. If I won a book - that really wouldn't count now would it? But alas I did not win any of the books. And I couldn't not get them! So - I reclaimed my proclamation and ordered them online from Chapters. They came today.
I was tagged by Annie to do the Hunkie Hero and it will probably come as no surprise to anyone who mine is.
My Favourite Hero:
Who else could it be but Derek Craven from Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas?
Why he stole my heart:
There are oh so many reasons!! He's not a titled hero yet he wields a lot of power. He thinks he's not good enough for the heroine yet he is totally smitten with her. He knows his way around the bedroom. Those are just a few reasons right off the top of my head.
Favourite Quote/Excerpt:
“Stay still!”Derek swallowed hard, his gaze traveling to the lush display of her breasts.“You and your…research.”He said the word as if it were obscene.His hand covered her breast, his palm rubbing over the nipple until it formed a tight bud.He tried tolet her go, but his body wouldn’t obey.Every nerve screamed rebelliously.He wanted more.He would have given everything he owned just to grind himself inside her.Breathing harshly through his teeth, he fought to contain his desire.
“I wanted to be someone other than myself,” Sara said in defiant misery.“The kind of woman that you would…dance with…and desire.And even now…I don’t regret what I’ve done.You may not feel any attraction for Sara Fielding, but al least you felt something for the woman I pretended to be, and that—“
“You don’t think I want you?” he asked hoarsely.
“I knew when you refused to kiss me this morning-“
“That’s what this is about?You wanted revenge because I didn’t…” Craven seemed to choke on the words.When he managed to speak again, his voice was tainted with a cockney twang.“It was enow for you that I’ve ached like a drawn dog ever since you came ‘ere-“
“Drawn dog?” she repeated in confusion.
“Pulled away before the rutting’s finished.”He clenched his hands on either side of her face, glaring at her.“I wanted you this morning, you little tease.I’ve wanted to do you over since the first time I… Be still!”
He snarled the last two words with a roughness that made her cringe.She stopped squirming at once.
Swallowing hard, he forced himself to continue.“Don’t move, or I won’t be able to stop myself.Listen to me.I’m going to let go of you…and you’re going to leave.For good.Don’t come back to the club.”
I just love this scene – it embodies everything I love about Derek; his rough beginnings, his attraction for Sara, his sacrifice at sending her away because he doesn’t think he’s good enough
Who would play Jamie in a movie:
Again - this one is a given - Richard Armitage. The minute he made his first appearance in North and South he was just a natural for the part.
~~~<<<>>>~~~
And more
You may have noticed this phenomenon. And I don't think I'm the only one that suffers from it - fortunately. I seem to buy more books than I read.I hope someday that balances out better but until it does - books that will soon arrive in the mail
The Wolf’s Heart by Jenna Leigh
Reporter Elaine Westerbrook will do anything to get the information she needs, including reigniting a fire with the deliciously mysterious Marcus Bei. Its lonely at the top of the corporate world. But that’s the price hell pay to keep his pack safe from his father and others like him. But Marcus cant find the strength to push away the very thing his other half has been waiting for so long his mate. Together, they search for the truth and find out if they have a future in spite of a past threatening to tear them apart.
I first saw this one at Barbara’s blog and being shallow, I loved the cover.Then I read the storyline and it sounded very interesting.Unlike many others, I love a good ‘destined mates’ storyline and I quite enjoy werewolf stories so I was sold.It sat lonely in my cart until I added more.
The Countess Takes a Lover by Bonnie Dee
Who is learning more, the novice? Or the master? Countess Meredith du Chevalier, a widow with a reputation for being sexually adventurous, is intrigued when she is approached by a gentleman who wishes her to "make a man" of his son. Sensing a passionate man beneath Christopher Whitby'’s reserved exterior, Meredith takes on the challenge, inviting the botanist to her country home to revitalize her abandoned greenhouse. Chris finds people to be a chaotic, animalistic species, and has chosen to devote his life to the study of plants. One kiss from the vivacious countess, however, and his inner animal is aroused. But lust is only a fraction of what he feels for the vulnerable woman hiding behind a brittle fade. He resolves to coax her to grow until her petals unfurl in a glorious bloom. To her surprise, Meredith finds Chris brings much more to life than just fallow soil. But just as their love begins to thrive, he learns about the secret arrangement. Meredith must risk her heart for the most dangerous lesson of all-love.
Although I haven’t read many Bonnie Dee books, the one I did, Bone Deep, blew me away and I kept my eye out for when this one came out in print form.It also has been in my cart for a while…waiting
An Indecent Proposition by Emma Wildes
When the duke of Rothay and the earl of Manderville make a foolish and scandalously public wager over which of them is the more skillful lover, the firmly respectable and notoriously unavailable Lady Caroline Wynn makes the even more shocking offer to serve as judge. The trio all harbor complex secrets of their own, and as they discreetly begin the judging process far away from the keen eyes of society gossips, more than the lady's reputation and the gentlemen's pride are at risk from their growing passions.
It’s the talk of the town. London’s two most notorious rakes have placed a very public wager on which of them is the greatest lover. But what woman of beauty, intelligence, and discernment would consent to judge such a contest? Lady Carolyn Wynn is the last woman anyone would expect to step forward. But if the men keep her identity a secret, she’ll decide who has the most finesse between the sheets.
To everyone’s surprise, however, what begins as an immoral proposition turns into a shocking lesson in everlasting love…
I had seen this one but it was Stacy’s review that convinced me I needed to get it.So being totally self-indulgent when it comes to books, I ordered it.
Fire at Midnight by Lisa Marie Wilkinson
Rachael Penrose is confined to Bedlam insane asylum in London after discovering that her uncle Victor plans to kill her brother in order to inherit the family fortune. Victor, with a gang of criminals, uses French privateer Sebastien Falconer as the scapegoat for his crimes. When Victor spreads the lie that Rachael informed on Falconer’s smuggling activities, Falconer vows revenge on the girl. Gripping suspense and romance play out in front of numerous historical details, including a violent storm that devastated England in 1703 and swept the Eddystone Lighthouse into the sea.
This cover just calls to me.And the storyline sounds right up my alley.I can hardly wait to get my hands on this one.I’m thinking Tuesday just might be the day!!
Sometimes I think the possession of book takes centre stage over the reading of books. I went on another book buying splurge - some on line and some at the store. Behold - my insanity
The Legacy by T J Bennet This one received a DIK at All About Romance and the story sounded very good with a seldom used setting.
Falling in Love by Pauline Trent The story sounded interesting; it's a new author; it's a good price - Sold!
Stranger by Megan Hart This one sounded intriguing. I've been tempted a few times to get it and I finally succumbed. Now that I have 3 books by Megan Hart, I'll actually have to try one.
Promises in Death by J.D. Robb The only author I buy in hardcover, I never get tired of Eve, Roarke and the gang.
Shadowed Knight by Jan Alyce Avery I noticed this one Barbara's blog a while ago and put it in my shopping cart just waiting until I had enough for free shipping.
The Gunslinger's Untamed Bride by Stacey Kayne Though both the title and the cover make me shudder, I really enjoyed the last book by her.
Theresa Weir
Although I didn't have all her books, all the ones I did have are either a five or 4.5. After rereading Bad Karma, I knew I had to get the ones I didn't already have. They include
Long Night Moon
The Forever Man
Iguana Bay
Forever
One Fine Day
Rosalyn West
After reading a good review of The Pretender at DA, I was reminded how many times I've read what great books these are. The Rebel The Pretender The Outsider The Outcast I have one of these listed on my spreadsheet, but I'm not sure I still have it. I haven't seen it around in forever. And what good is it having 3 books without the fourth?
So there you have it - my most recent books buys - some by new to me authors, some by authors I've read and loved and one by an author whose books I have but haven't read yet.
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A Lot Like Love by Julie James
Devil's Own by Veronica Wolff
Black Hills by Nora Roberts 
Seducing and Angel by Mary Balogh
Deadly Heat by Cynthia Eden
Everyone Loves a Hero by Marie Force 
Defiant by Kris Kennedy
